My problem is I'm such a prolific WRITER I have trouble carving out time to read, but I know it's incredibly important.  One of my favorite books is Stephen King's On Writing where he talks about carrying any kind of falling-apart paperback (good, bad, or exceptionally written) around with him all the time to continually study his craft (not to mention the railroad spike he used to nail the thousands of rejection letters he got to the wall).  That's commitment.  Thanks for the motivation Steve.  But, I do LOVE to read.  I've included some of my very favorite books below, and what I'm currently trying to read, listen to, or otherwise absorb.  Go on, tell me, what are YOU 🫵 reading currently? 

CURRENTLY READING

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Judge Stone by Viola Davis and John Grisham

What can I say, I'm a sucker for a legal thriller.  Austin is part that, so I'm partial.  Also, you'll see my incredible "crazy" (it's a term of endearment in our family) Aunt De got me this book recently for my birthday (happily 44, thank you - I'm proud of my age), and I've been enjoying it.  I especially like Judge Stone, a raw, real woman with heart but also humanity.  I'm loving it.  And, Viola if you happen upon here, your performance in Fences is still one of my favorites of ALL TIME.  "I was standing right here with you!"   Oooohhh, she thunders.  I was immediately drawn to this book simply because her hand was in it.

CURRENTLY LISTENING

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Theo of Golden by Alex Levi

This is such a tender book.  It's taken me some time to get through the middle.  I heard it lagged, but it's just now picked back up for me.  I do love the premise of giving subjects of portraits in a coffee shop back to their owners.  It's a great foundation for a fascinating plot.  And, this Theo character is so mysterious yet so gentle and trustworthy so immediately.  That part, alone, is fascinating me, too.  It's an interesting glimpse at a kind and welcoming society (a version of it I hope we can get back to).  What did you all think about this one?  Oh, and the author, Alex's, rise to fame story, how about that, huh?  An author can dream!  You go, Alex! 🙌

TBR (TO BE READ)

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The Tennis Partner by Abraham Verghese 

This one has been on my list for a while, only because it's by one of my favorite authors of all time: Abraham Verghese.  I can still close my eyes and see some of the visuals from Cutting for Stone (the forceps on the baby's head), same with The Poisonwood Bible (when she sticks her elbows out to survive the ant swarm ... ).  I strive, myself, to create images like that.  I found this Verghese in a Little Free Library—I'm a huge fan, have done several video bits on those - enjoy!—and I'd never heard of this book.  It's about "helping the helpers"—something several of my friends and I talk about often.  Who's helping the doctors, the firefighters, the policemen, the lawyers, the nurses?  It's a fascinating topic that I'm sure this book will dive deep into.  I've lent it to one of those "helping the helper" friends for her to read it first, and I'm dying to hear her take.  Have any of you read this one by Abraham?  Thoughts?

 

Some of My Favorite Reads 

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Cutting for Stone - Abraham Verghese

The Poisonwood Bible - Barbara Kingsolver

The Giver of Stars - JoJo Moyes

All the Light We Cannot See - Anthony Doerr

The Glass Castle - Jeanette Walls

Demon Copperhead - Barbara Kingsolver

Spark of Light - Jodi Picoult

The Silent Patient - Alex Michaelides

The Kite Runner - Khaled Hosseini

Verity - Colleen Hoover